CAMPING IN THE SNOW. 123 



When well sheltered by woods, and with an 

 enormous fire blazing at our feet, sleeping in the 

 open air was pleasant enough. Tents are not used 

 for winter travelling, as the huge fire could not be 

 made available. On arriving at the ground we se- 

 lected for a camp, every one set to work as quickly 

 as possible. One unharnessed the dogs and unpacked 

 the sleighs ; another collected dry logs ; a third cut 

 fine chips, and started the fire ; whilst the fourth 

 shovelled away the snow in front of the fire with 

 a snow-shoe, and strewed the bare ground with pine 

 branches. Then all squatted down, smoking and 

 superintending the cooking of supper, the hungry 

 dogs seated round, waiting anxiously for their share. 

 A pipe and talk followed, and then each rolled 

 himself in his blankets or buff'alo robe, covering 

 head and all, placed his feet as near to the fire 

 as he dare, and slept. All huddled together as 

 closely as possible, and when silence had reigned 

 some time, the dogs crept softly in towards the fire, 

 and lay between us, or at our feet. Before sleeping, 

 however, it was necessary to secure out of reach 

 of the dogs not only provisions, but snow-shoes, 

 harness, and everything with any skin or leather 

 about it. An Indian dog will devour almost anything 

 of animal origin, and invariably eats his own har- 

 ness, or his master's snow-shoes, if left within his 

 reach. 



Our new attendants showed us the greatest atten- 



that country. It is tliq most valuable part of food in winter, and 

 horses and dogs will not stand work in the cold, unless fat. 



